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Monte Cristo Grilled Cheese Sandwich

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Our Monte Cristo Grilled Cheese Sandwich is a fun play on a traditional french Monte Cristo recipe. Try this delicious monte cristo sandwich and tell us if it’s not one of the best grilled cheese sandwiches you’ve had.  

The first time I ever saw a Monte Cristo sandwich, I was with my sister. We were at a restaurant together when she ordered one and when it came out, I was confused. There was meat and cheese on her sandwich but it was topped with powdered sugar and she told me the sauce was raspberry. After the disgusted look on my face, she made me try it anyway. It was in that moment that I learned the amazingness that is a monte cristo sandwich.

I knew when we were creating our grilled cheese sandwich series that a monte cristo grilled cheese sandwich had to be one of them. It’s such a fun recipe for the entire family. The kids think it’s amazing that we give them powdered sugar on a sandwich. I think the first time we made them, the girls lost we had gone off our rockers.

What is a Monte Cristo Sandwich?

Before we get into our monte cristo grilled cheese sandwich, let’s first discuss what is a monte cristo sandwich. A classic Monte cristo recipe is a fried ham and cheese sandwich.  It was a play on the French croque-monsieur which is a baked ham and cheese sandwich. Some people now use other meats in addition to the ham and it may or may not be fried.  It’s topped with powdered sugar and served with a raspberry sauce.

What sides do you serve with a Monte Cristo Grilled Cheese sandwich?

How to make a Monte Cristo Grilled Cheese sandwich?

5 from 1 vote
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Monte Cristo Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
7 mins
Total Time
12 mins
 

Our Monte Cristo Grilled Cheese Sandwich is a fun play on a traditional french Monte Cristo recipe. Try this delicious monte cristo sandwich and tell us if it's not one of the best grilled cheese sandwiches you've had.  

Course: Lunch, Main Course
Cuisine: American, French
Servings: 4 sandwiches
Calories: 901 kcal
Author: Larisha Campbell
Ingredients
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
  • 8 slices french toast brioche bread
  • 8 slices Smoked Gouda Cheese
  • 4 slices Swiss Cheese
  • 1 lb smoked ham slices (deli meat)
  • 1/2 lb smoked turkey slices (deli meat)
  • 1 pint fresh raspberries, optional
  • raspberry sauce, optional
  • powdered sugar, optional
Instructions

  1. Using previously cooked french toast bread, butter one side of each of the pieces. 

  2. Heat skillet to medium low. 

  3. Place one slice of bread, butter side down into the pan. 

  4. Layer 2 slices of gouda, 1 slice of Swiss, 1/4 lb of ham and 1/8 lb of turkey slices between two pieces of bread.  Add optional fresh raspberries in layers if desired. 

  5. Place another slice of bread on the top, butter side up. 

  6. Cook for 2 minutes or until golden brown. Flip. 

  7. Cook for another 1-2 minutes or until that side is also golden brown. 

  8. Remove and repeat with remaining sandwiches. 

  9. Top with powdered sugar and serve with raspberry sauce if desired. 

Recipe Notes

**Nutritional facts are just estimates. Please utilize your own brand nutritional values to double check against our estimates. 

Nutrition Facts
Monte Cristo Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Amount Per Serving (1 sandwich)
Calories 901 Calories from Fat 477
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 53g 82%
Saturated Fat 30g 150%
Cholesterol 312mg 104%
Sodium 2288mg 95%
Potassium 666mg 19%
Total Carbohydrates 49g 16%
Dietary Fiber 7g 28%
Sugars 7g
Protein 59g 118%
Vitamin A 28.2%
Vitamin C 37.6%
Calcium 72.7%
Iron 19.6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

PIN THIS MONTE CRISTO GRILLED CHEESE SANDWICH FOR LATER!

 

Philly Cheesesteak Grilled Cheese Sandwich

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Combine the best of Philly into one ultimate sandwich! A Philly Cheesesteak and a Philly Soft Pretzel collide to create the best Philly cheesesteak recipe – the Philly Cheesesteak Grilled Cheese Sandwich!

Growing up, we had cheesesteaks occasionally.  My dad would pull out these frozen sheets of meats and quickly whip them up until something delicious came of it. Or so I thought at the time. I always thought they were yummy, but I never got the hype of “The Philly Cheesesteak”. I mean…Don’t get me wrong, they’re good, but not something that you have to be known for if you’re one of the biggest cities in the country.

Then…I  moved…

A few years ago, Andrew and I moved to New Jersey. Well, he moved back, I moved here for the first time. One of the first places we explored together was South Street in Philly. He took me to Jim’s and it wasn’t until that moment that I got the hype. What I had grown up used to as a Philly Cheesesteak was NOTHING in comparison to the real thing.

Philly Cheesesteak sandwiches are now a favorite in our home, not only for Andrew and I, but for our children as well. We knew when we were discussing our grilled cheese sandwich series that we had to do a spin on a Philly Cheesesteak. In our opinion, this may be the best Philly cheesesteak recipe that you can make at home. It’s such a fun spin on a family favorite! The entire family will love this Philly Cheesesteak Grilled Cheese sandwich.

What are the ingredients on a Philly Cheesesteak Grilled Cheese?

We wanted to combine two Philly favorites – the Philly Cheesesteak and the Philly Pretzel to create this insanely delicious Philly Cheesesteak Grilled Cheese sandwich. We use a pretzel hot dog bun that we found at our local Amish market for the bun. It resembles a traditional cheesesteak bun, with the same delicious taste of a Philly pretzel. If you can’t find buns locally to you, then you can create your own pretzel buns at home or slice a soft pretzel in half for a close alternative.

Then, we seared up onions and ribeye steak in the traditional Philly way, added grilled red, green, and yellow peppers, and finally used both provolone and American cheese.  We skipped the whiz, but if you are a whiz traditionalist, feel free to add it to your Philly Cheesesteak Grilled Cheese sandwich!

What are good sides dishes for Philly Cheesesteaks?

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Philly Cheesesteak Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
25 mins
Total Time
35 mins
 

Combine the best of Philly into one ultimate sandwich! A Philly Cheesesteak and a Philly Soft Pretzel collide to create the best Philly cheesesteak recipe - the Philly Cheesesteak Grilled Cheese Sandwich!

Course: Lunch, Main Course, Snack
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 650 kcal
Author: Larisha Campbell
Ingredients
  • 1 lb ribeye steak, thinly sliced
  • 2 tbsp olive oil, divided
  • 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
  • 1/2 green pepper, thinly sliced
  • 1/2 red pepper, thinly sliced
  • 1/2 yellow pepper, thinly sliced
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1/4 tsp smoked paprika
  • 8 slices sharp cheddar cheese
  • 4 slices Provolone cheese
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
  • 4 pretzel buns (or other bun)
Instructions

  1. Season thinly slice ribeye with garlic powder, black pepper, and smoked paprika. 

  2. Heat 1 tbsp oil in a large skillet. 

  3. Add onions and peppers and saute for 3-5 minutes of until onions are translucent. 

  4. Remove from skillet and place on a plate. Set aside. 

  5. In the same skillet, head remaining oil. 

  6. Add the seasoned ribeye.

  7. Cook for 2-3 minutes, chopping up along the way. 

  8. Season with salt if desired. 

  9. Flip and Cook another 2-3 minutes or until steak is cooked through. 

  10. Add the onions and peppers back to the skillet and combine well. 

  11. Remove from heat. 

  12. Spread butter on inside of both sides of buns. 

  13. Place face down in skillet for approximately two minutes or until golden brown.

  14. Layer each sandwich with two slices of cheddar and one slice of Provolone, along with 1/4 of the meat mixture. 

  15. Repeat with remaining sandwiches. 

  16. Preheat oven to 300 degrees and bake sandwiches for 7-10 minutes or until cheese is melted. 

  17. Serve!

Recipe Notes

**Nutritional facts are just estimates. Please utilize your own brand nutritional values to double check against our estimates. 

*Top round steaks can be used in place of ribeye. Or if necessary you can use the frozen steak sheets in your grocery freezer section as a last resort. 

*Ask butcher to thinly slice your meat. 

Nutrition Facts
Philly Cheesesteak Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Amount Per Serving (1 sandwich)
Calories 650 Calories from Fat 441
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 49g 75%
Saturated Fat 24g 120%
Cholesterol 147mg 49%
Sodium 674mg 28%
Potassium 535mg 15%
Total Carbohydrates 7g 2%
Dietary Fiber 1g 4%
Sugars 2g
Protein 44g 88%
Vitamin A 28.7%
Vitamin C 73.1%
Calcium 63%
Iron 16.1%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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Chicken and Waffles Grilled Cheese Sandwich

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This chicken and waffles grilled cheese sandwich is the ultimate chicken and waffles sandwich. No matter, if you’ve had the infamous chicken and waffles (with hot sauce or gravy depending on your location), you’ll want to dive into this grilled cheese sandwich immediately! 

It’s Gourmet Grilled Cheese Week here on our site and we know you are ready for more deliciousness.  We are so excited to jump right into giving you another mouthwatering grilled cheese recipe too.  Today, we present the chicken and waffles grilled cheese recipe.

Now, depending on where you live, you may have chicken and waffles served with hot sauce, or a spicy syrup, or you may have it served with mashed potatoes and gravy. Either way you prefer it, it’s all delicious.  And, if you’re on the fence about trying it, just stop.

Chicken and Waffles may sound like an odd combination, but really it’s not. Sweet bread and deliciously fried chicken go hand in hand. Even syrup drizzled across the chicken is a delicious idea…I PROMISE…I would never lie to you guys.

HOW TO MAKE A CHICKEN AND WAFFLES GRILLED CHEESE SANDWICH RECIPE

This chicken and waffles grilled cheese recipe takes two Belgian waffles (we use this waffle maker) and cooks them in a skillet with butter for a few minutes. Then, in between them layers a copious amount of mozzarella cheese, fried chicken tenders, crispy bacon, lettuce, and our own honey mustard BBQ sauce. Once layered, we put this grilled cheese in the oven and bake until it’s all warm and has melty, gooey, cheese. After that, you want to cut it in half down the middle, making two sandwiches. Serve alongside maple syrup for dipping. It was so delicious and a must try for everyone.

What is a good side dish for chicken and waffles?

While we believe that this grilled cheese sandwich could be served entirely on it’s own, we know some may want some ideas for sides that would be great on this!

No matter what you decide to serve alongside it, this is one of the best grilled cheese recipes that you are going to find around.

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Chicken and Waffles Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
20 mins
 

This chicken and waffles grilled cheese sandwich is the ultimate chicken and waffles sandwich. No matter, if you've had the infamous chicken and waffles (with hot sauce or gravy depending on your location), you'll want to dive into this grilled cheese sandwich immediately! 

Course: Lunch, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Servings: 2 sandwiches
Calories: 1099 kcal
Author: Larisha Campbell
Ingredients
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 2 Belgian waffles
  • 4-5 chicken fingers, cooked
  • 1/2 cup shredded lettuce (or one large iceberg lettuce)
  • 4 slices bacon, cooked
  • 6 slices Mozzarella cheese
  • 1/8 cup Honey Mustard BBQ Sauce
  • syrup (optional)
Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees. 

  2. Spread butter across one side of both of the waffles. Cook in a skillet over medium heat until that side is golden brown (2-3 minutes)

  3. Remove from heat and layer 3 slices of cheese, remaining ingredients, and remaining cheese. 

  4. Place sandwich on a baking sheet and place in oven for 7-10 minutes or until warmed and cheese is melted. 

  5. Remove from oven and slice in half to make 2 sandwiches. 

  6. Serve.

Recipe Notes

*Nutritional facts are only estimates.  Please use your own ingredients to get a more definite amount. Syrup not included in estimates. 

Nutrition Facts
Chicken and Waffles Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Amount Per Serving (1 half)
Calories 1099 Calories from Fat 567
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 63g 97%
Saturated Fat 27g 135%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2g
Monounsaturated Fat 6g
Cholesterol 209mg 70%
Sodium 1577mg 66%
Potassium 682mg 19%
Total Carbohydrates 74g 25%
Dietary Fiber 3g 12%
Sugars 13g
Protein 55g 110%
Vitamin A 21.8%
Vitamin C 2.1%
Calcium 43.5%
Iron 5.8%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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Supreme Pizza Grilled Cheese Sandwich

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This Supreme Pizza Grilled Cheese Sandwich is everything that you want on a pizza in grilled cheese form! It’s the ultimate pizza sandwich recipe! 

Growing up we had a bowl of soup and a grilled cheese sandwich at least once a week. As a mom now, I get that it was a cheap meal. Because of the frequency of this meal, it became something I have fond memories of now. I love making grilled cheese sandwiches for my girls, even though we don’t have them as often as I did growing up.

After we created a peanut butter and jelly grilled cheese, Andrew and I had an idea to create a series about gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches. This pizza grilled cheese is the first in a series of gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches we’ll be doing and we guarantee that by the end of the week, you’ll discover one of the best grilled cheese sandwiches you’ve ever had.

How to Make a Supreme Pizza Grilled Cheese

This pizza grilled cheese sandwich has all of your favorite supreme pizza toppings. There’s sausage, pepperoni, and ham for meats. Then, for toppings, we included red onions, 5 types of peppers, spinach and mushrooms. Of course, there’s cheddar and mozzarella cheese, as well as marinara sauce.

We start by buttering up two skinny sandwich rounds and browning them in a skillet. Next, we layer all our ingredients and then put the grilled cheese in the oven until the cheese is melted. It cooks up beautifully and is so much fun.

The reason we cook the pizza grilled cheese in the oven versus all on the stove is because of the amount of ingredients.  It would be hard to get them all warm in a skillet before the bread burns, even when cooking on a low setting, so grilled cheese in the oven is the best option.

What sides to serve with a pizza grilled cheese sandwich?

This is a large sandwich by itself, but we know you’d love some side dish ideas for this grilled cheese recipe.

Any of these will pair perfectly with this pizza grilled cheese sandwich!

Pizza Grilled Cheese Recipe

5 from 2 votes
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Supreme Pizza Grilled Cheese
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
30 mins
Total Time
35 mins
 

This Supreme Pizza Grilled Cheese Sandwich is everything that you want on a pizza in grilled cheese form! It's the ultimate pizza sandwich recipe! 

Course: Lunch, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian
Servings: 2 sandwiches
Calories: 805 kcal
Author: Larisha Campbell
Ingredients
  • 1 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 4 skinny sandwhich rounds
  • 1 italian sausage, cooked
  • 2 oz pepperoni, sliced thick or thin
  • 1/8 cup spinach
  • 1/8 cup mushroom slices
  • 1/4 red pepper, sliced into two rounds
  • 1/4 green pepper, sliced into two rounds
  • 1/4 yellow pepper, sliced into two rounds
  • 1/4 orange pepper, sliced into two rounds
  • 1/8 cup banana peppers
  • 4 slices Mozzarella cheese
  • 4 slices Cheddar cheese
Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 250 degrees

  2. Cut cooked sausage in half lengthwise and then in half again. Set aside. 

  3. Spread butter on one side of each of the skinny sandwich rounds.

  4. Heat a skillet over medium and brown the sandwich rounds butter side down until a golden brown is reached (2-3 minutes). Remove from here

  5. On the none buttered side, layer all your ingredients. 

  6. Repeat with remaining sandwich. 

  7. Place both sandwiches on an oven safe baking sheet and cook for 7-10 minutes or until cheese has completely melted and ingredients are warmed. 

  8. Remove and serve. 

Recipe Notes

*This recipe uses raw peppers and mushrooms for the sandwich, feel free to cook before hand if desired. 

*Nutritional values are estimates. Please double check your own products before using. 

Nutrition Facts
Supreme Pizza Grilled Cheese
Amount Per Serving (1 sandwich)
Calories 805 Calories from Fat 603
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 67g 103%
Saturated Fat 33g 165%
Cholesterol 191mg 64%
Sodium 1625mg 68%
Potassium 477mg 14%
Total Carbohydrates 7g 2%
Dietary Fiber 1g 4%
Sugars 2g
Protein 42g 84%
Vitamin A 46.8%
Vitamin C 103.4%
Calcium 70.6%
Iron 9.7%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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Zesty Summer Pasta Salad

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This zesty summer pasta salad is the perfect dish to take to all your upcoming summer get-togethers and outings.  It’s a cold pasta salad with zesty Italian dressing and sure to be a big hit!  

Vegan Pasta Salad

There are certain recipes that will remind you of happier times. Like summers ago with your entire family around a grill, jumping in and out of the pool all day, and running around without a care in the world. It’s up to you whether your children will have those same magical memories now. Though it seems like a big feat at times, sometimes food elicits memories of what made it special. By focusing in on those memories, you can remember how to make it special for your own littles. 
This homemade pasta salad is one of those recipes for me. To me, it’s the best pasta salad because of those memories. It’s one very similar to what my aunt used to make at every single summer cookout we had. This easy pasta salad recipe is also one of the few ways my mom could get me to eat vegetables as a child. Since moving to New Jersey though, I see my family less, so I needed to learn to make this Italian pasta salad myself.
cold pasta salad recipe

How to make homemade Italian pasta salad 

For this delicious cold pasta salad recipe there’s just 5 ingredients + the Italian salad dressing. You can choose to buy bottled zesty Italian dressing or we share our zesty pasta salad dressing recipe below. For this vegan pasta salad you need cooked pasta (we use angel hair), cherry tomatoes, broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, and zesty Italian dressing. 
The most difficult part of this entire dish is cooking the pasta for 8 minutes. So, if you can cook pasta, you can make this recipe. Add everything to a big bowl and stir, stir, stir, until everything is mixed together well. Refrigerate and done! It’s really that simple to make this summer pasta salad.
homemade summer pasta salad

Summer Pasta Salad Recipe 

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Zesty Summer Pasta Salad
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
8 mins
Total Time
18 mins
 

This zesty summer pasta salad is the perfect dish to take to all your upcoming summer get-togethers and outings.  It's a cold pasta salad with zesty Italian dressing and sure to be a big hit!  

Course: Main Course, Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: American, Italian
Servings: 16 people
Calories: 188 kcal
Author: Larisha Campbell
Ingredients
  • 1 lb angel hair pasta
  • 2 cups homemade Zesty Italian Dressing (recipe below)
  • 1/2 cup carrots, grated (approximately 4-6 large carrots)
  • 1 1/2 cups broccoli, finely chopped
  • 1 1/2 cups cauliflower, finely chopped
  • 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
Instructions

  1. Cook pasta according to the boxed instructions.

  2. Drain and transfer pasta to a large bowl. 

  3. Add remaining ingredients, except the tomatoes. 

  4. Stir until very well combined. 

  5. Add in the halved cherry tomatoes and give a quick toss (not too much, you don't want to over work the tomatoes). 

  6. Chill in the refrigerate at least 2 hours or until ready to serve. 

  7. Refrigerate any remaining pasta salad for up to 5 days. 

Recipe Notes

Zesty Italian Pasta Salad Dressing Recipe

In a large bottle or bowl, combine the following, shake or stir very well. Then, ready for use. Refrigerate any leftovers. 
  • 1 cup olive oil 
  • 1 cup apple cider vinegar
  • juice from half a lemon
  • 5 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/8 cup red onion, finally chopped
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
Nutrition Facts
Zesty Summer Pasta Salad
Amount Per Serving (0.5 cup)
Calories 188 Calories from Fat 54
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 6g 9%
Sodium 305mg 13%
Potassium 222mg 6%
Total Carbohydrates 27g 9%
Dietary Fiber 1g 4%
Sugars 5g
Protein 4g 8%
Vitamin A 17.5%
Vitamin C 23.7%
Calcium 2.1%
Iron 4.2%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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zesty italian summer pasta salad - cold pasta salad - vegan pasta salad
This post was originally published on 5/21/2014.  Same great recipe but our photography skills have greatly improved.  Here’s some of the original photos. 
cold pasta salad recipes from scratch
easy pasta salad
easy pasta salad recipe

Dairy Free Baked Chicken Quesadillas

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These dairy-free baked chicken quesadillas as so insanely delicious, they’ll have you forgetting that you’re even missing any dairy. Try out these delicious stuffed quesadillas today! 

Disclosure: This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #ProgressIsPerfection #CBias #CollectiveBias

Even though I loved dairy, when we had our first baby, Larisha had to go dairy free. Obviously, she wasn’t going to cook multiple meals when it was just her, I and a tiny newborn, so subsequently I went dairy free also. I was surprised how easy this little switch could be. I thought it was going to be miserable, but it was really quite simple. One of our favorite meals quickly became chicken, bean, and avocado quesadillas. Surprisingly, the avocado actually binds the tortilla shells together like cheese would do and it’s absolutely delicious!

How to make a dairy free baked chicken quesadilla?

First, we start by soaking the chicken in Silk Unsweetened Almond Milk for 30 minutes.  After that, we dredge the chicken in a combination of flour, bread crumbs, and taco seasoning. We then baked the chicken for 25 minutes at 350 degrees. Then, it’s time to put the quesadilla together. The topping possibilities are endless, but the basic of this recipe is a 10″ tortilla, avocado, chicken, and black beans. Other toppings may include: salsa or tomatoes, jalapeños, corn, cilantro, onions, and more.

This one dairy-free recipe seriously made my transition to a healthier lifestyle of much easier! It’s a must have recipe. If you are also gluten-free, you can try this on a corn tortilla, but just be extra careful when flipping since corn tortillas never hold up as well as flour.

Making Life Easier

Another thing that has made parenting easier recently is learning about Walmart’s online grocery pick up. It’s completely free as long as you purchase at least $30 in groceries. I was able to easily choose everything I needed and schedule a time and day for my pickup. It’s available everyday from 8am-8pm at my location (check your location to verify hours). Once I arrived at Wal-mart, I found the large orange pick-up sign and pulled into a parking spot designated for pick-up. Once there, I was able to call and say that I was there and they brought all my items out to my car for me.

For our Dairy-free baked chicken quesadillas, we use Silk Unsweetened Almondmilk. It’s both dairy-free and lactose-free and has a great wholesome taste that our whole family loves. Feeling and eating healthier doesn’t have to be hard, and Silk’s Progress to Perfection helps along the way.  We’ve always touted our “semicruchyish” journey, where we believe everyone can make small steps towards a better, healthier, more eco-friendly lifestyle and that’s just what this Silk program aims to accomplish.  That small victories are still victories. So start by swapping out your milk and you’re one step closer!

For our Wal-mart Online Grocery Pick-up we were able to get unsweetened almondmilk for our quesadilla recipe, along with dark chocolate almondmilk and Silk Vanilla Almond Dairy – Free Yogurt Alternative, which pairs great with fresh fruit on top!

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Dairy Free Baked Chicken Quesadillas
Prep Time
30 mins
Cook Time
30 mins
Total Time
1 hr
 

These dairy-free baked chicken quesadillas as so insanely delicious, they'll have you forgetting that you're even missing any dairy. Try out these delicious stuffed quesadillas today! 

Course: Lunch, Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Servings: 4 quesadillas
Calories: 501 kcal
Author: Andrew
Ingredients
  • 2 cups Silk Unsweetened Almondmilk
  • 2 boneless chicken breasts, cubed
  • 1/2 cup flour
  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
  • 1 tbsp homemade taco seasoning
  • 4 10" flour tortillas
  • 2 avocados
  • 1 cup black beans
Optional Toppings
  • 1 cup corn
  • 1/2 cup red onions, diced
  • 1/2 cup salsa (or diced tomatoes)
  • 1 jalapeno, sliced thin
Instructions

  1. Soak cubed chicken in almond milk for 30 minutes. 

  2. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. 

  3. In a bowl, mix together the flour, breadcrumbs, and taco seasoning. 

  4. Drain any remaining almondmilk from the bowl after 30 minutes. Dredge the chicken cubes in the flour mixture and placed on a lightly greased baking sheet. 

  5. Baked chicken for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown and reaches a temperature of 165 degrees. 

  6. Remove from oven. 

  7. Using a fork, smash the avocados until no large chunks remain. 

  8. On one tortilla, spread 1/4 of the smashed avocados across the entire tortilla. 

  9. Add 1/4 of the baked chicken and 1/4 of the beans onto one side of the tortilla. 

  10. Add any optional toppings you may want. 

  11. Fold tortilla in half. 

  12. Place tortilla in a large skillet over medium low heat. 

  13. Cook for 3-4 minutes or until golden brown. Flip and cook for another 1-2 minutes. Or until golden brown. 

  14. Remove and repeat the process with remaining ingredients. 

  15. Serve alongside a side of salsa. 

Recipe Notes

*Nutritional facts are only estimates and do not include any optional toppings. 

Nutrition Facts
Dairy Free Baked Chicken Quesadillas
Amount Per Serving (1 quesadilla)
Calories 501 Calories from Fat 180
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 20g 31%
Saturated Fat 3g 15%
Cholesterol 36mg 12%
Sodium 593mg 25%
Potassium 938mg 27%
Total Carbohydrates 56g 19%
Dietary Fiber 12g 48%
Sugars 3g
Protein 24g 48%
Vitamin A 4.5%
Vitamin C 13.4%
Calcium 23.3%
Iron 22.4%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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Strawberry Watermelon Juice

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This strawberry watermelon juice is the ultimate summer drink for the family. Make this delicious watermelon juice recipe in just 5 minutes. 

*Disclosure: affiliate links may be contained in this post. They help us continue to run our site.

I first made this strawberry watermelon juice when I was pregnant with our first.  Up until that point, I drank a lot of soda and other high sugared juices, mostly all processed. It was how I grew up and while I could say I knew better, it’s not something that seemed easy to me at the time. Once I got pregnant, I slowly started becoming aware of the things I was putting into my body. Once we had our daughter and she began to eat herself, we both became hyperaware that we needed to really watch the things that we were eating.

Now that we have two girls, we continue to make simple and delicious juices like this strawberry watermelon juice recipe and both of our girls gobble it down and ask for more.

How to make strawberry watermelon juice? 

Strawberry watermelon juice is insanely easy to make. You only need strawberries and watermelon to make. Once you have your fruit cut away from the outer rind of the watermelon and remove the stems from the strawberries, you place in a high powdered blender. Once blended, you strain to remove any pulp and then serve! Want a slushie consistency? Freeze the fruit for 30 minutes before blending and then you have a strawberry watermelon slushie!

And definitely don’t throw away the pulp! Use it to make some delicious muffins or bread with a sweet taste!

 Ways to Use Watermelon Rinds

Speaking of not wasting! Use up those watermelon rinds.  Contrary to popular belief, watermelon rinds are actually edible and some studies have shown that they actually contain more nutrients than the pink fruit from the watermelon. It’s hard to break our views that it’s not something you can eat, so we put together a list of some delicious ways to use watermelon rinds so you can start today! Here’s 8 ways to use up those watermelon rinds:

 
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Strawberry Watermelon Juice
Prep Time
5 mins
Total Time
5 mins
 

This strawberry watermelon juice is the ultimate summer drink for the family. Make this delicious watermelon juice recipe in just 5 minutes. 

Course: Drinks
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4 cups
Calories: 57 kcal
Author: Larisha Campbell
Ingredients
  • 4 cups watermelon
  • 1 cup strawberries
  • 1.5 cups water*
Instructions

  1. Add the ingredients to a high powdered blender. 

  2. Blend everything until very well combined.

  3. Pour into a container and enjoy! 

Recipe Notes
  • Some watermelons are much juicier than others. If you have an extremely juicy watermelon and you get 1.5 cups of juice from the watermelon while cutting - Use that before adding water. 
Nutrition Facts
Strawberry Watermelon Juice
Amount Per Serving (1 cup)
Calories 57
% Daily Value*
Sodium 6mg 0%
Potassium 225mg 6%
Total Carbohydrates 14g 5%
Dietary Fiber 1g 4%
Sugars 11g
Protein 1g 2%
Vitamin A 17.3%
Vitamin C 40.6%
Calcium 1.9%
Iron 2.8%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Want even more delicious juice recipes?

You may also be interested in trying out Homemade Strawberry Lemonade!

Pin this Strawberry Watermelon Juice for later!

This strawberry watermelon juice post was originally published on 4/16/2012. Same delicious juice, we’ve just gotten a lot better at photography. Here’s the original picture from the post. 

The Best Peanut Butter and Jelly Recipes

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Tired of the traditional peanut butter and jelly sandwich but love the peanut butter jelly combo? Try out the best peanut butter and jelly recipes for a switch!

PEANUT BUTTER AND JELLY RECIPES

Growing up, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches were my jam. (See what I did there?) Of course, we grew up without a ton of money, so I didn’t have many options, but I did truly enjoy peanut butter jelly sandwiches. While I don’t have them as much now, it’s still something I resort back to in a pinch. It’s also something my girls love. Even if I don’t have peanut butter and jelly sandwiches often, I love the sweet and savoriness of the combo together in other recipes.

peanut butter and jelly grilled cheese

Last week, we put together a series of some new peanut butter and jelly creations that were a huge hit!

I know that the peanut butter and jelly burger through some for a loop, but everyone that had tried it before confirmed that it was a legit amazing thing.

peanut butter and jelly burgers

Is Peanut Butter and Jelly good for you?

Yes and No. It ultimately comes down to which products you use to make your peanut butter and jelly recipes. A standard peanut  butter and jelly sandwich can be healthy for you even though jelly is made with sugar.  You can choose a bread that is made from whole grains. Then, make your own homemade peanut butter so the only ingredient is peanuts and possibly a raw honey (so a natural source of sugar). Lastly, choose a no sugar added jam instead of a jelly made with high fructose corn syrup.  These simple swaps will actually make your peanut butter and jelly sandwich and other peanut butter jelly recipes healthier.

peanut butter and jelly smoothie

Everyone loved our peanut butter and jelly recipes series so much we decided to give you all even more. We’ve complied a list of more than 30 peanut butter and jelly recipes. There’s truly something for everyone in our list and we’re sure you’ll find something fun to try.

So move over classic childhood peanut butter and jelly sandwich, it’s time for a new family favorite or favorites!


PIN THIS ULTIMATE LIST OF PEANUT BUTTER AND JELLY RECIPES FOR LATER!

must try peanut butter and jelly recipes

Peanut Butter and Jelly Smoothie

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This peanut butter and jelly smoothie is a great play on a childhood classic! It’s the perfect smoothie to get protein into a picky child too! 

peanut butter and jelly smoothie

Kids can be insanely picky.  If you live in our house, you know that adults can be ridiculously picky too. But we’re here to focus on the kids today.  One day they will eat something and the next day, they say gross and there’s no way they would ever touch it.  Even the most adventurous eaters go through moments where they want to be picky. Peanut Butter and Jelly recipes though seem to be foolproof.

peanut butter and jelly smoothie recipe

My kids will eat peanut butter and jelly sandwiches even when they refuse anything else, especially if I use cookie cutters to turn it in a shape. We’ve made a peanut butter and jelly smoothie bowl before and everyone gobbled it up. So today, we decided to share an equally home favorite – peanut butter and jelly smoothie recipe.

peanut butter jelly smoothie

Is a peanut butter and jelly smoothie healthy?

The simple answer is yes. There’s no actual jelly in the recipe, so it’s not as loaded with sugar as you may think.  We combine homemade peanut butter with strawberries and a banana, add in vanilla yogurt, almond milk, and honey. Just 6 ingredients in this recipe and none are overly processed foods. The non-dairy milk alternative is great healthy addition to a smoothie.  Additionally, our sugar source is natural honey which has a host of health benefits.

peanut butter jelly smoothie recipe

Our girls gobbled up this peanut butter and jelly smoothie and even the picky adult in the house liked it too. Whether you have a picky little or big one, or you are trying to get more calories and protein in your little one for whatever reason, this peanut butter and jelly smoothie recipe is a great idea to try!

pbj smoothie

0 from 0 votes
Print
Peanut Butter and Jelly Smoothie
Prep Time
5 mins
Total Time
5 mins
 
Course: Breakfast, Drinks, Snack
Cuisine: American
Servings: 1 smoothie
Author: Larisha Campbell
Ingredients
  • 1 frozen banana
  • 6 frozen strawberries
  • 2 tbsp peanut butter
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
  • 1/2 cup vanilla greek yogurt
  • 1 tsp honey
Instructions

  1. Add all ingredients to your blender and blend until smooth. 

  2. Add additional milk if a smoothie texture is desired, 1/8 cup at a time. 

pbj smoothie recipe

Pin this Peanut Butter and Jelly Smoothie Recipe for later!

peanut butter and jelly recipes

Peanut Butter and Jelly Burger

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Don’t question the combination! You must try this Peanut Butter and Jelly Burger! The unlikely pairing will have you wondering why you never tried this peanut butter and jelly recipe before! 

peanut butter and jelly burger

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links.

I know what you’re thinking.  Peanut Butter and Jelly Burger? I’ve officially lost my daggone mind.  Who in the world pairs a burger and peanut butter and jelly sandwich together. You may be thinking I’ve gone off my rocker as my great-grandma would say. But just hear me out, okay? First, you may be partly correct about loosing my mind. Being a stay-at-home, homeschooling mom who runs a business is already partly insane. But this peanut butter and jelly burger recipe is not one of those mind-loosing moments.

peanut butter and jelly burger recipe

A few years ago, before the baby was even born, Andrew, Serenity and I did a food tour in Manayunk, PA (Chew Philly Food Tours). One of the stops was at a restaurant called Lucky’s Last Chance and the tasting there was of an award-winning peanut butter and jelly burger. Andrew, being the very picky one in the relationship, said there was no way he was trying it when we got there. I was sort of weirded out, but I’m pretty open to at least trying new things.  Fast forward, and we actually all did try it and loved it.

pbj burger recipe

Peanut Butter and Jelly Burger Recipe

We loved it so much that we decided to recreate it. The burger recipe at Lucky’s was made with a creamy peanut butter, white American cheese, bacon, and served with grape jelly on the side. They describe the peanut butter and jelly burger as an unexpectedly delicious childhood favorite with an adult twist and they couldn’t be more accurate.

peanut butter jelly burger

5 from 2 votes
Print
Peanut Butter and Jelly Burger
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
6 mins
Total Time
11 mins
 

Don't question the combination! You must try this Peanut Butter and Jelly Burger! The unlikely pairing will have you wondering why you never tried this peanut butter and jelly recipe before! 

Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4 burgers
Calories: 717 kcal
Author: Larisha Campbell
Ingredients
  • 1.5 lbs 80/20 ground beef
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 4 slices American cheese
  • 4 tbsp grape jelly
  • 4 tbsp creamy peanut butter
  • 4 pieces cooked bacon
  • 4 hamburger buns
Instructions

  1. Divide the meat into 4 equal portions. Shape the beef into 4 patties, slightly larger than your buns. 

  2. Season each patty with salt and pepper to taste. 

  3. Cook burgers on a grill over medium heat for 2-4 minutes on each side or until desired doneness. 

  4. Place cheese on top on burgers to melt, then remove from grill. 

  5. Spread 1 tbsp of jelly on one side of the bun and 1 tbsp peanut butter on the other side of the bun. 

  6. Repeat with remaining buns.

  7. Add burgers to buns and put one slice of bacon, broken in half, on top of each. 

  8. Serve immediately. 

Recipe Notes
  • Recipe makes 4 single patty burgers. To make burgers shown in pictures, double the patties, everything else remains the same. 
  • Nutritional facts are just estimates. Please utilize your own brand nutritional values to double check against our estimates. 
Nutrition Facts
Peanut Butter and Jelly Burger
Amount Per Serving (1 burger)
Calories 717 Calories from Fat 378
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 42g 65%
Saturated Fat 15g 75%
Cholesterol 137mg 46%
Sodium 764mg 32%
Potassium 703mg 20%
Total Carbohydrates 39g 13%
Dietary Fiber 2g 8%
Sugars 14g
Protein 43g 86%
Vitamin A 4%
Vitamin C 2.8%
Calcium 33%
Iron 30.9%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

peanut butter and jelly recipes

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how to make a peanut butter and jelly burger

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